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Over the summer, one defensive player who made his impact felt throughout his whole Bucs career was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In short order, they may have to make room for another gold bust and custom-size another gold jacket.
Although Ronde Barber and Lavonte David’s paths only overlapped for a season, David has carried the torch of elite defensive play for 12 years. And if anyone thinks he is slowing down, they better think again.
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs is well on his way to entering his own Hall of Fame conversation someday, but he took the time last week to discuss the greatness of another player still making his impact known for the Bucs: Lavonte David.
Tristan Wirfs: “Lavonte Is An Animal”
Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today
Lavonte David is still filling the stat sheet and making plays all over the field. Playing in his age-33 season, one would think David found the fountain of youth with the way he has played like his age-23 self this year. Through seven games, he has 67 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and two pass deflections.
David has long set the standard of being a Pro Bowl-level player at inside linebacker, but he has not gotten the recognition he deserves throughout much of his career. Tristan Wirfs believes Lavonte David’s career is worth recognizing in a way that would immortalize him with the football greats — being selected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
“Lavonte is an animal,” Wirfs said. “I think he is incredibly underrated, [and] incredibly overlooked. You look at what he’s done the past 12 years and it’s up there with the best to ever to do it. They better get his gold jacket ready. Lavonte is an incredible player, an incredible person, and it’s not a surprise to any of us in this locker room what he is doing in year 12 still.”
#Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs calls ILB Lavonte David an “animal” and says that “they better get his gold jacket ready.” pic.twitter.com/PhMS2ZGB6t
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) November 2, 2023
Devin White Also Discusses Lavonte David’s Play
Bucs ILBs Lavonte David and Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Fellow Inside linebacker Devin White also recently chimed in on Lavonte David’s play this season. White has seen David’s greatness up close lining up beside him in the middle of Tampa Bay’s defense since being drafted fifth overall in 2019.
“He’s cheating over there, man [laughs],” White said. “The guy is still doing it. He’s going to be one of the all-time great linebackers to ever play the game – at least in my eyes. I think the stats say exactly what I say, but he’s still having fun, he’s still coming to work every day and [being] competitive. He just said the other day, ‘I’m in year 12 and I don’t take [any] days off.’ I really respect that and I think that’s why it shows up on the field because he’s getting rewarded for the work he puts in.”
As the season has gone on, Lavonte David has been heating up. In a nod to the classic video game NBA Jam, one could even say “He’s on Fire!” Over the past three games, David has recorded 39 total tackles, four tackles for a loss, and one sack. When asked about his recent stretch of play, he remained humble.
“Everything is playing out, David said. “Everybody is doing what they’re supposed to do, for the most part. [I am] just flying to the football and playing the game the way I know how to play it.”
For a long time, Lavonte David has played the game of football at a level higher than most. Even in year 12, David’s performance week in and week out remains the gold standard of inside linebacker play that he began over a decade ago — and has shown no signs of stopping.
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